Cooperatives across the globe adhere to seven principles that guide all of our decisions — from how we run the co-op to how we engage with our local communities. The seventh principle is “Concern for Community.”
Cooperatives around the world operate according to the same set of core principles and values adopted by the International Cooperative Alliance. Cooperatives trace the roots of these principles to the first modern cooperative founded in Rochdale, England, in 1844. These principles are a key reason that America’s electric cooperatives operate differently from other electric utilities, putting the needs of their members first.
The Cooperative Principles:
- Open and Voluntary Membership
- Democratic Member Control
- Members’ Economic Participation
- Autonomy and Independence
- Education, Training and Information
- Cooperation Among Cooperatives
- Concern for Community
The seventh cooperative principle focuses on member needs. Cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies accepted by their members.
I would like to update the membership on a new program at Southwest Tennessee EMC called Southwest Members Care Incorporated (SMC). The program is funded by simply rounding up electric bills to the next dollar, and those funds are contributed to charitable organizations in the STEMC service area. As of Oct. 24, 85 percent of the STEMC membership participates in the program.
STEMC President Kevin Murphy, left, presents the first Southwest Members Care grant check to Gilt Edge Volunteer Fire Department Capt. Brian Shoemaker.
The SMC board of directors is made up of members who voluntary donate their time to represent your local communities. The board met for the first time on Oct.17 to consider grant applications from the community. The four grants approved were:
- Gilt Edge Volunteer Fire Department
- Tipton Titan (PAL) Football Program
- West Tennessee Chapter of the Boy Scouts
- The Gleaner’s House
Examples of programs that can apply for funding include local fire departments, local arts and education, senior citizen groups and many other community projects. These grants will primarily benefit programs and charitable organizations within the STEMC footprint.
Grant applications can be found on our website, www.stemc.com, or can be picked up at your local STEMC office. The application should only take around five minutes to complete and send to STEMC. Please contact your local STEMC office with any questions.
The next meeting of the SMC board of directors is scheduled for Jan. 16, 2020. Grant applications for consideration at this meeting are due by Dec. 31.
Southwest Members Care is just one more way your local cooperative shows concern for and connects with its membership. We not only provide power but opportunity. Stay tuned for further updates on SMC and other community initiatives at STEMC.
The Gilt Edge Volunteer Fire Department will purchase two automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to replace 20-plus-year-old units. This donation from Southwest Members Care may literally save lives in our community. Here, Southwest Members Care Board Member Achana Jarrett and STEMC President Kevin Murphy present grant check to Capt. Brian Shoemaker and his team of volunteer firefighters.
The Gleaner’s House in Henderson is a shining example of “Concern for Community.” The organization will use the grant to restock its Food Pantry. Here at the check presentation are Helen Mitchell, Virginia Hall, Cyndi Kilzer, Jackie Butler, Mary Mathers, Maude Seaton, Susan Blatchford, Emily Johnson, Robin Rivard, Delana O’Neal, Cathy Scott, Marvin Pickens and Becky Rowsey.
